2025 Global Forum

Paper 1: Increasing the Cultural Sensitivity and Reach of Evidence-Based Interventions for Depression
Dr. Shadi Beshai, Norman Radow College of Humanities & Social Sciences

This presentation will explore key factors contributing to the gap between the global need for evidence-based interventions for depression and the persistent challenges in engagement and access. It will highlight the urgent need for both cultural and digital adaptations of these interventions—both locally and globally—to enhance their relevance, safety, and effectiveness for diverse populations. Cross-cultural research will be examined to illustrate how existing evidence-based interventions often fail to align with the cultural contexts and specific needs of the individuals they aim to serve. By addressing these mismatches, this presentation will emphasize the importance of culturally responsive and technologically accessible solutions to improve mental health care worldwide

Paper 2: Public Trust and Security in Conflict Contexts: 
A Quantitative Analysis in Central America (2018-2023)
Pablo Soto-Cruz & Dr. Felipe Salazar-Tobar, Norman Radow College of Humanities & Social Sciences
 
In Central America, political and social crises have shaped the institutional landscape, especially in connection with the legitimacy and effectiveness of security institutions (namely, the National Police and Armed Forces). Grounded in a conceptual framework related to legitimacy and trust, democratic perceptions, and conflict studies literature, this study employs a quantitative approach to analyze the relationship between public trust in security institutions during times of conflict in Central American countries from 2018 to 2023. We argue that differences in the frequency and nature of conflicts influence citizens' perceptions of trust in the national police and military. To address these questions, the research uses data from two primary sources: the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data (ACLED) database for the identification of conflict events, and trust assessments from the Americas Barometer (n=9050), provided by the Center for Global Democracy at Vanderbilt University. The results contribute to enriching the academic debate on global security challenges and institutional management in conflict scenarios, highlighting key elements for creating more resilient environments characterized by social cohesion, fairness, and conditions conducive to the integral human development of society in sustainable communities.

Paper 3: Changemakers: Today's Students, Tomorrow's Global Leaders
Dr. Modupe Akintomide, Dr. Monica Nandan, & Baileigh Brown . Wellstar College of Health and Human Services 
 
Traditional pedagogical methods have limitations in adequately preparing students with the necessary knowledge and skills to address the intricate global challenges related to socioeconomic issues, ecological sustainability, and health crises. Also, conventional assessments primarily focus on theoretical knowledge and standardized testing, leaving students unprepared for real-world application and the dynamic nature of social change. Through the RealLives immersive simulation game, driven by global statistical data, the RealLives Changemaker Index (RCMI) moves beyond traditional methods by immersing learners in real-world situations, where their choices in areas such as education, career, relationships, and social challenges dynamically shape their Changemaker Index score. The RCMI represents a pioneering assessment tool designed to evaluate core competencies essential for Social-Emotional Learning (SEL), leadership, problem-solving, and change-making potential. This innovative approach offers deep behavioral insights, capturing the complexities of human decision-making in authentic contexts, thereby addressing the inadequacies in preparing students to be effective global changemakers. At WCHHS, we are integrating the RCMI into Ready-to-Use modules that incorporate the RealLives simulation across various college courses. This integration enhances the educational experience by promoting experiential learning, allowing students to engage with real-world challenges while developing critical competencies such as empathy, resilience, adaptability, and ethical reasoning. By participating in the simulation, students gain insights into their own abilities and areas for growth while cultivating a profound understanding of global citizenship. The RCMI's unique capability matrix identifies strengths and weaknesses, setting the foundation for targeted SEL development and changemaker readiness. Furthermore, its emphasis on innovative creativity and applied technologies resonates within today's educational landscape, equipping students with the necessary skills to navigate and contribute positively to an increasingly interconnected world. Ultimately, the RCMI serves as a transformative educational tool, preparing the next generation of leaders to thrive in a rapidly evolving global landscape while actively addressing the pressing need for effective changemakers.

 

Panel Discussant: Dr. Erin Adams,  Bagwell College of Education

Paper 1: Clean energy essence for transportation electrification: Impact analysis of electric vehicles on greenhouse gas emissions in the United States
Faysal Chowdhoury, Southern Polytechnic College of Engineering and Engineering Technology
 
While electric vehicles (EVs) are often considered emission-free, increasing adoption of EVs leads to higher air pollutant emissions from vehicles running on fossil fuels due to traffic congestion caused by the induced EV trips, as well as from power plants due to the increased energy consumption of EVs from the grid. This research provides a large-scale analysis of air pollutant emissions from vehicles and power plants with rising EV adoption in Atlanta (GA), Los Angeles (CA), New York (NY), and Seattle (WA) using an integrated model that leverages machine learning. We estimate the vehicle energy consumption and emission rates of CO2, NOx, and PM2.5 based on vehicle speed, considering vehicle type, fuel, and age, using a feedforward neural network trained with the Motor Vehicle Emission Simulator (MOVES) inventory. To estimate the mixed traffic composition by vehicle type, fuel, and manufacture year, we have analyzed state vehicle registration data. We capture the impacts of traffic dynamics on EV charging and air pollutant emissions from vehicles using a macroscopic traffic model trained with probe-based traffic data. This model is employed to approximate traffic speed based on volume at the tract level in the downtown areas of Atlanta, Los Angeles, New York, and Seattle. Having energy consumption and emission rates estimated in conjunction with traffic speed and volume profiles, as well as mixed traffic composition, enables the estimation of EV energy consumption and air pollutant emissions of heterogeneous vehicles at a large scale. The increase in emissions of CO2, CH4, and N2O from power plants due to the energy consumption of EVs from the grid is estimated using a machine learning model developed on the Meta Prophet platform, trained with the Cambium database, and incorporating seasonality, pricing, taxation, and energy mix. Integrating the vehicle emission model with the EV charging and power plant emission model facilitates the estimation of air pollutant emissions from both vehicles and power plants with increasing EV adoption and projected changes in traffic conditions. The proposed model is employed to predict changes in greenhouse gas and other air pollutant emissions from vehicles and power plants with the projected increases in EV adoption through 2030 in Atlanta, Los Angeles, New York, and Seattle.
 
 
Paper 2: Development of Educational Tools and Bio-Inspired Compliant Joints
Dr. Ayse Tekes and Vanessa Young, Southern Polytechnic College of Engineering and Engineering Technology
 
Our research focuses on two main areas. We design and develop portable, low-cost educational lab equipment and virtual lab simulations to enhance the teaching of vibrations and control theory in undergraduate engineering courses. All research outcomes, including CAD models, parts lists, and learning activity designs, are openly shared on our project website. Our 3D-Printed Lab Equipment (3D-PLE) has been successfully implemented at Kennesaw State University (KSU) and several institutions, including Duke University and the University of Michigan, with growing interest from faculty worldwide. Additionally, our MATLAB Simulink-based virtual lab simulations have been openly shared with educators and downloaded by over 1,200 users since 2024. Our applied research focuses on the design and development of bio-inspired compliant and soft joints for bipedal robots and exoskeletons to replicate the motion seen in nature. Our work includes the development of various compliant mechanisms such as locomotive robots, bistable mechanisms, and dwell mechanisms, as well as soft robotic systems, including grippers and Delta and Stewart mechanisms.
 
Paper 3: Place-Based Environmental Education for a Warming Planet
Dr. Jessica Stephenson-Reaves, Bagwell College of Education
 
Have you ever wondered where your drinking water comes from? Or why some of our communities don’t recycle glass? Maybe you’ve wondered if there’s a connection between increasingly catastrophic weather events and a changing climate. These are all questions we can explore and address through place-based environmental education. For example, water and water quality is both a global concern and hyper-local issue—where water is located, how clean or safe it is for drinking, and the community use of water resources affects all of us. While water scarcity isn’t a concern for many of us in the metro Atlanta area, water scarcity is a real issue across much of the developing world and is one of the seventeen UN Sustainable Development Goals (#6, access to clean water and sanitation). How do we help citizens understand the importance of both their ecological communities and their sociological communities? How can we connect citizens to their socioecological communities in meaningful ways that fosters a conservation mindset? How can we improve science literacy practices through place-based environmental education? This presentation outlines my current research in the field of place-based environmental education through in-class activities with undergraduate students, professional development sessions with in-service K12 teachers, and international education exchange with Hassan II University in Casablanca, Morocco. This research aims to educate citizens on the importance of conservation and sustainable use practices of resources that affect their local communities, while simultaneously extending this idea to the global community.

 

Panel Discussant: Dr. Mario Bretfeld, College of Science and Mathematics 

Paper 1: Canadian Perspectives on Interdisciplinary Research

Dr. Peter Fielding, College of the Arts.

Dr. Shadi Beshai, Norman Radow College of Humanities & Social Sciences
 
To mark the Year of Canada, panelists will discuss the presentations considering KSU’s research pillars (applied technologies, health and wellness, innovative creativity, and sustainable communities) with a focus on the context and implications for Canada.